CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - Apr 4, 2014) - BMO Harris Bank today announced that it will sponsor 44 financial education and homeownership workshops throughout its markets as part of the Federal Reserve Bank's Money Smart Week, April 5-12, 2014.

The workshops will cover a wide range of topics, including credit and debt management, financial and homeownership basics, and identity theft.

"We believe everyone can gain valuable information while learning about how to earn, grow, and better manage their personal finances," said Daniela O'Leary-Gill, Chief Community Reinvestment Officer, BMO Harris Bank. "Financial literacy outreach is very important to us. Our partnership with local nonprofits, community groups, and local governments will help to enrich and enhance the impact of Money Smart Week for many individuals and communities."

In Chicago, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and its partner organizations, including BMO Harris Bank, will sponsor the Money Smart Kid Essay Contest for children in grades 5 to 8.

In Milwaukee, BMO Harris will sponsor an essay contest at two local schools, Carmen High School and the Hmong American Peace Academy. Winners will receive total scholarships of $500 per school.

In Indianapolis, Community Action Group of Greater Indianapolis, in partnership with BMO Harris Bank, will provide an eight-hour pre-purchase educational class to families from Marion, Boone, Hamilton and Hendricks counties seeking new homeownership. The seminar will include information to help homebuyers manage money, understand credit, secure a mortgage loan, shop for a home and manage finances.

Money Smart Week is a public awareness campaign promoting financial education across all age groups. Launched in 2002 by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the program is now active in more than 45 states through national partnerships with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Cooperative Extension and the American Library Association.

About BMO Harris BankBMO Harris Bank provides a broad range of personal banking products and solutions through more than 600 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Arizona and Florida. BMO Harris Bank's commercial banking team provides a combination of sector expertise, local knowledge and mid-market focus throughout the U.S. For more information about BMO Harris Bank, go to the company fact sheet. Banking products and services are provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A. and are subject to bank or credit approval. BMO Harris ® and BMO Harris Bank® are trade names used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a North American financial organization with approximately 1,600 branches, and CDN $593 billion in assets (as of January 31, 2014).